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Ngannou’s Dominance Returns
There’s no doubt that Francis Ngannou continues to be one of the most intimidating fighters worldwide. After a 19-month hiatus, “The Predator” made a powerful comeback by knocking out Philipe Lins during a prominent fight at MVP “Rousey vs. Carano” at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Although Lins was considerably smaller and less experienced, Ngannou effectively demonstrated his renowned knockout strength, shaking off any signs of ring rust.
Future Challenges for Ngannou
At 39, Ngannou remains a compelling figure in the heavyweight division, yet he faces limited options moving forward. Despite Jon Jones‘s speculation during the Netflix broadcast, the UFC is not allowing “Bones” to exit his contract for a potential super fight against Ngannou. With his recent departure from the PFL, a highly anticipated match against Vadim Nemkov appears off the table. There’s hope that MVP and KSW could collaborate to set up a fight between Ngannou and Phil De Fries, who has an impressive 17-fight winning streak dating back to 2017.
Rankings and Performance Updates
Regardless of what lies ahead for Ngannou, he has earned his place at No. 15 in the pound-for-pound rankings. However, with decreasing opportunities and infrequent appearances, this could change soon.
At UFC 322, Makhachev demonstrated his comfort in the welterweight division, controlling Jack Della Maddalena for five rounds to achieve a clear unanimous decision victory. This marked his 16th consecutive win in the promotion, equaling Anderson Silva’s UFC record for the longest win streak. He is now the 11th fighter to capture titles in two weight classes, and will face numerous contenders for his first title defense at welterweight.
Top Performers and Upcoming Matches
Topuria made headlines by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, becoming the first undefeated fighter to hold championships in two divisions. Following impressive victories over notable fighters like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria is set to meet Justin Gaethje at the UFC White House card on June 14.
Pereira’s Swift Victory
Pereira came back strong in his rematch with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320, quickly earning a stoppage with a flurry of elbows after dropping Ankalaev with a right hand. Following a less-than-stellar first fight, Pereira has reestablished himself as a top star and will vacate the light heavyweight title to compete for the vacant heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane on June 14.
Contenders and Future Matches
Other notable fighters include Petr Yan who reclaimed the bantamweight title at UFC 323, and Strickland, who battled through adversity to defeat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Their potential rematches are eagerly anticipated as all ranked contenders look to solidify their legacies in their respective divisions.
Other Contenders: Magomed Ankalaev, Khamzat Chimaev, Dricus Du Plessis, Charles Oliveira, Francis Ngannou.
Sherdog’s rankings are compiled by the contributions of their editorial team, including various staff members.
